USAID rejects proposal to reduce maternal mortality in Kenya

USAID have turned down a Matercare International (MCI) project which would have significantly reduced maternal mortality in the Isiolo area of Kenya. according to Dr. Robert Whalley of MCI. Dr Whalley however is determined to press ahead with his plans. The Local Government District of Isiolo in Kenya has donated 7 acres of prime land for a maternity hospital and MCI has already raised over $600,000 (US) over the past few years. The project has been costed at $5,000,000 (US).

According to Dr. Whalley Mothers in the developing world are experiencing unimaginable suffering due to a scandalous lack of effective care during pregnancy and childbirth, with the consequence that many thousands are dying. The MCI proposal will provide comprehensive care to thousands of women but is being delayed due to lack of funding.

The essence of the plan developed by Dr Whalley is to bring much needed healthcare to women in their own villages but to back this up with the provision of trained personnel and emergency care centres.

The basic five point plan is:

1. Construct a 30 bed birth centre including a 2 bed delivery room, operating room, outpatients, laboratory and pharmacy.
2. Renovate, equip and staff existing parish dispensaries.
3. Provide a maternity waiting home for high risk mothers.
4. Establish mobile ambulance clinics to cover specific districts.
5. Train midwives and traditional birth attendants to provide basic maternity care in the districts.

The World Health Organisation estimates that there are over 500,000 maternal deaths annually, of which 99 per cent occur in developing countries. There is no accurate data to substantiate these numbers, the reason being that most developing countries do not report information on births, deaths, the sex of dead people or the cause of death. However, figures quoted by Dr. Whalley based on his own experience at a mission hospital in Nigeria, where the in-hospital maternal mortality ratio was 1,700per 100,000 live births, illustrates the enormity of the problem and the urgent need for financial aid to deliver the much needed health care and save lives.